Stereotypes in the Courtroom

Research has shown that for certain types of crimes, defendants from specific ethic backgrounds are more likely to be found guilty when compared to defendants from other backgrounds. This is reflected in an over-representation of certain minority groups in the Australian prison system. This research aims to determine whether gender- and race-based stereotypes influence jurors’ judgements; whether the influence of stereotypes survives jury deliberation; and whether requiring jurors to reach only a majority decision increases the impact of stereotypes on their verdicts. It is expected that this will lead to a better understanding of when juries are functioning in a fair and unbiased manner, thereby promoting a fairer legal system for all.